Paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly



July 14, 1970 Filed April 15, 1968 F. MOCERI 3,520,628

PAINT TRIM ROLLER AND ADJUSTABLE GUIDE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR FRANCESCO MOCERI ATTORNEY S F. MOCERI 3,520,628

PAINT TRIM ROLLER AND ADJUSTABLE GUIDE ASSEMBLY July 14, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1968 mm a M L W J m 7 m m N F INVENTOR FRANCESCO MOCERI ATTORNEYS United States Patent "ice 3,520,628 PAINT TRIM ROLLER AND ADJUSTABLE GUIDE ASSEMBLY Francesco Moceri, 733 Lantz W., Detroit, Mich. 48203 Filed Apr. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 721,389 Int. Cl. B44d 3/28 US. Cl. 401-118 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly includes a handle structure which carries an axle. Both the handle structure and axle structure may be extensible. A roller is rotatably mounted on the axle along with a guide wheel. The roller has an outer paint receiving and transferring surface which is tapered inwardly towards the center of the roller. The guide Wheel also has a tapered surface for guiding the mechanism during use. Adjustable spacing means are provided to position the roller and guide wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A common problem in the painting of architectural surfaces is the coating of edge strips or surfaces adjacent to surfaces which are not to be painted. For example, the sash edge surface of a window which is adjacent the window glass must be painted without applying paint to the glass. Similarly, a molding strip along a wall is frequently painted a different color than the wall surface. Therefore, when the molding strip is painted, care must be taken not to apply paint to the wall surface. In the past, painters have utilized a small brush and laboriously hand painted such trim surfaces. Not only is such painting time consuming but frequently the surface which is not desired to be painted is inadvertently coated. The present invention provides a paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly which permits the painting of such trim surfaces quickly and efficiently without applying paint to the surface which i not to be painted. The assembly incorporates a roller mechanism which may be provided in different sizes to accommodate different widths of surfaces. A guide wheel is provided for guiding the mechanism during the painting operation. The guide wheel does not carry paint. The guide wheel may be adjusted with reference to its distance from the roller so that different size trim mouldings may be painted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprises a handle structure which carries an axle. A roller is rotatably mounted on the axle. The roller has an outer paint receiving and transferring surface. The guide Wheel is also rotatably mounted on the axle. Adjustable spacing means are provided to position the roller and guide wheel on the axle at predetermined distances apart.

In the drawings FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly forming one embodiment of the present invention illustratively shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the forward end of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view in section of the roller and adjustable guide assembly of another embodiment of the invention;

3,520,628 Patented July 14, 1970 FIG. 6 is a view in section of an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a modification of the roller assembly;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a view of the roller and adjustable guide assembly of a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the method of applying paint to the roller of a device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating a still further embodiment of the invention and including an extension device for use with the paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a modified roller.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-4, it will be noted that the paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly 10 comprises a hand engageable handle 12 from which extends a cylindrical rod 14. The handle 12 may 'be fabricated of plastic or Wood, while the rod 14 may be fabricated of plastic or metal.

The rod 14 has a first straight portion 16 which extends outwardly from the handle 12. The rod is bent rightangularly at 18 and a second straight portion 20 extends therefrom for a short distance at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the portion 16. The portion 20 merges with a U-shaped portion 22 from which extends a straight portion 24 which is directed back towards the handle 12 and extends for a short distance therebeyond.

The straight portion 24 serves as an axle for rotatably mounting a sleeve or bushing 26. A collar 28 is provided on the axle 24 adjacent the U-shaped portion 22 to position the bushing 26. It will be noted that the bushing 26 extends from the collar 28 to substantially the end of the axle 24. The bushing 26 is freely rotatable on the axle 24.

A disk-like guide wheel 30 having a central opening 31 is received on the bushing 26 adjacent to the collar 28. The guide member is preferably fabricated of wood or plastic. A hub 32 is provided on the guide wheel 30. A set screw 34 is threadingly received in a threaded opening 36 in the hub and engages the bushing 26 to maintain the guide member in a set position on the bushing. The guide member may be moved to different positions along the bushing by unthreading the set screw 34- and sliding the guide wheel 30 to the desired position on the bushing 26 and then threading the set screw 34 back into engagement with the bushing. The central portion 38 of the forward face of the guide member extending radially outwardly from the central opening 31 is substantially fiat. The outer peripheral marginal portion 40 is beveled rearwardly. The reverse face 41 of the guide wheel 30 has substantially the same configuration.

A disk-like roller member 42 having a central opening 44 is received on the bushing 26 forwardly of the guide wheel 30. The roller member 42 makes a press fit with the bushing 26 to thereby remain in adjusted position on the bushing. A screw 48 is received in a threaded opening in the end of the axle 24 with a washer 50 being placed between the head of the screw and end of the axle to thereby lock the various elements onto the axle.

It will be noted that the outer peripheral edge 52 of the roller 42 is beveled inwardly towards the guide wheel 30. The outer edge 52 is covered by a covering 54 of a fabric material suitable for receiving paint and transferring the same to surfaces which it is desired to paint. The covering 54 is preferably a material which has nap or hairs which project radially outwardly. The covering material may be, for example, velvet, felt, woven cloth, pile fabric, carpeting, or the like.

It will be appreciated from the description thus far that either or both of the guide wheel 30 or roller 42 may be removed and replaced with a member of different diameter or thickness to the end that the device may be used on a variety of jobs. For example, rollers of from to 3" may be provided.

Operation of the paint trim assembly 10 may now be understood. Referring to FIG. 1, the assembly 10 is designed to paint an edge surface such as the edge 56 of a sash frame 58. It will be noted that the edge 56 extends to the surface of the sash glass 60. It is, of course, not desired to have any paint applied to the glass. The assembly 10 is first set up for painting the particular sash in question. This involves selecting a roller 42 the edge surface 52 of which is equal to the width of the edge 56 to be painted. This roller is mounted on the assembly. The guide wheel 30 is then adjusted to a position where the distance between the beveled portion 40 and roller 42 is such that portion 40 will contact and roll on the sash frame surface 62 with the edge 52 of the roller riding on the edge 56 of the sash frame without having any contact with the glass 60. The bevel of the roller edge 52 angles the roller away from the glass to prevent inadvertent contact of the roller with the glass. The beveled portion 40 of the guide wheel 30 provides an even surface for maintaining the roller 42 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The physical dimensions of the assembly 10 governs the path and swath of roller 42 with the result that the edge 56 is entirely coated with paint without any of the paint being applied to the glass 60.

FIG. illustrates a modified paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly 64. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, a sleeve bushing is not provided for mounting of the guide member 66 and roller member 68. In FIG. 5, both the guide member 66 and roller member 68 are rotatably mounted on the axle 70. The roller member 66 is maintained in the illustrated forward position by means of a collar 72 having a set screw 74 for securement thereof to the axle 70. A screw 76 and washer 78 are provided on the outer end of the axle 70 to hold the roller on the axle. The roller member is, of course, free to rotate on the axle 70.

The roller member 68 may be replaced with a roller member of greater or less width by removing the screw 76 and taking the roller member 68 off the axle 70. If the new roller member is wider, the set screw 74 is unthreaded and the collar 72 pulled away from the end of the axle. The new roller member is then received on the axle and the screw 74 again tightened. The reverse procedure is followed if the new roller is narrower.

The guide member 66, which may be fabricated of wood or other suitable material, comprises a disk-like portion 80 having a beveled outer marginal edge portion 82. A recess 84 is provided in the forward face of the guide member to receive the collar 72 and set screw 74 in the event that it is desired to move the guide member closely adjacent to the roller member 68. A collar 86 is provided on the rearward side of the guide member 66. The collar 86 has a set screw 88 to engage the axle 70 and maintain the collar in an adjusted position. The guide member 66 is free to rotate on the axle 70. It will be appreciated that guide member 66 may move longitudinally along the axle 70 and is not fixed relative to the roller member 68. However, the collar 86 is adjusted so that when the guide member 66 is at its maximum distance from the roller member 68, the proper distance for the trim job at hand is present. When a paint trim operation is to be performed, the guide member 66 is forced against the collar 86. The contact of the guide member with the sash frame thereafter maintains the guide member 66 in the proper relationship to the roller member 68.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the FIG. 5 construction. In FIG. 6, the roller member 90 is rotatively received on an axle 92. A recess 94 is provided on the rearward face 96 of the roller centrally thereof. A collar 98 having a press fit with the axle 92 is provided to maintain the roller 90 in the forward position in abutment with a washer 100 held in place by a screw 102. It will be noted that the recess 94 is of sufiicient diameter to receive the collar 98. As shown in FIG. 6, the collar 98 is outside of the recess. However, when the device is to be used, the collar 98 is forced into the recess to thereby maintain the roller member 90 in the desired position.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly 104 having several additional desirable features. The assembly 104 comprises a handle 106 from which extends a tubular member 108. A rod 110 having a straight portion 112 is telescopingly received in the tubular member 108. Diametrically opposed slots 114, 116 are provided in the outermost end 118 of the tubular member 108 so that the end 118 may be moved into and out of clamping engagement with the rod 110.

It will be noted that the outermost end 118 is tapered. A hollow clamping member 120 is slidably received on the straight portion 112 of the rod 110. The lower end 122 of the clamping member 120 is open and is received on the tapered end 118 of the tubular member 108. When the member 120 is forced down onto the end 118, the two halves of the end are forced into clamping engagement with the rod 110 thus holding the rod in place. When the clamping member 120 is loosened, the straight portion 112 of the rod 110 may be telescoped into and out of the tubular portion 108 to thereby extend or diminish the overall length of the assembly 104. The worker is thus able to easily adjust the assembly to the desired length to suit the job at hand.

In addition to the variation in overall length of the assembly 104 which may be accomplished by the manipulation of the telescoping rod 110, a handle extension 124 is also provided. The handle extension 124 comprises a cylindrical member, preferably fabricated of wood, having substantially the same diameter as the handle 106. The length of the handle extension 124 may be varied as required. A threaded opening 126 is provided in the lower end of the handle 106. The handle extension 124 is a threaded portion 128 on the end thereof which is threadingly received in the opening 126. When the handle extension 124 is attached, the overall length of the assembly 104 is increased to thereby permit the worker to paint surfaces which are located well above his normal reach. The handle extension 124 may be removed for normal use of the assembly to thereby reduce the clumsiness of handling.

The straight portion 112 of the rod 110 merges with a portion 130 bent rightly angularly thereto. The portion 130 merges with a portion 132 which is bent right angularly thereto which in turn merges with a portion 134 bent right angularly thereto back towards the straight portion 112. A guide wheel 136 and roller 138 are mounted on the portion 134. It will be noted that these elements, as well as the corresponding elements in the other described embodiments, are substantially in line with the straight portion 112 and handle 106. It is particularly desired to have the roller member in alignment with the handle. This alignment prevents canting of the assembly during use which might be caused if the guide and roller members were positioned on an axle extending laterally from the rod 110. Such canting may cause irregularities in the painting operation.

A tubular attachment 140 is provided on the rod portion 132 for painting corners and other relatively inaccessible spots. The tubular attachment 140 may be fabricated of plastic or like material. A slot 142 is provided in the wall thereof for press-fitting the member onto the portion 132. A plug-like member 144 is received in the upper end of the tubular member. A portion 146 thereof extends out of the tubular member 140. The member 144 is fabricated of a fabric-like material capable of receiving and transferring paint. In use, the portion 146 is dipped into paint and then pressed into a corner or other recess in much the manner of a paint dauber.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, it will be noted that the relative positions and configurations of the guide wheel 136 and roller 138 are reversed with respect to the previously described embodiments. That is, the guide wheel 136 is placed on the outer end of the axle portion 134 while the roller 138 is positioned inwardly thereof. The roller 138 is a disk-like member having a beveled peripheral forward edge portion 148. A hub 150 extends rearwardly to provide firm seating on the axle portion 134. The edge 148 is covered with a fabric material for receiving paint as previously described. The guide wheel 136 has a beveled outer peripheral edge 152 which is angled downwardly and rearwardly of the axle portion 134. The axle portion 134 has a bore 156 extending from the forward end thereof rearwardly towards the rod portion 132. A rod 158 is slidably received therewithin. The rod 158 forms an extension of the axle portion 134 to thereby permit variation in the total length of the axle. The rod 158 has an enlarged head 160 at the outer end thereof which engages a washer 162 and presses this washer into a recess provided in the outer face of the guide wheel 136 to thereby evenly distribute the holding force of the head 160 across the face of the guide wheel 136.

A collar 154 is received on the extension rod 158 and has a set screw 164 for securement to the rod 158. The roller 138 has a recess 166 for reception of the collar 154. A second collar 168 is provided on the rearward side of the roller 138 to position the roller. The collar 168 has a set screw 170 which extends through a longitudinal slot 172 in the axle portion 134 into engagement with the extension rod 158. The set screw 170 thus holds the rod 158 in adjusted positions against longitudinal movement with respect to the axle portion 134.

In the adjusted positions of the guide member 136 and roller 138 illustrated in FIG. 9, these members are positioned closely adjacent to each other. A washer 174 is provided to accurately space these members with respect to each other. Various combinations of washers may be used for this purpose to obtain accurate spacing of as little as one-sixteenth of an inch.

As will be appreciated, the extension rod 158 may be slid outwardly from the axle portion 134 to increase the overall length of the axle, or may be slid inwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 9 to decrease the overall axle length. When the extension rod is moved outwardly, the collar 154 may remain in the position shown in FIG. 9 to hold the roller 138 in fixed position or it may be moved outwardly with the guide member 136 to hold the guide member in adjusted position. In either case, the movable member is fixed in place before the assembly is used for painting.

FIG. illustrates an embodiment 175 which in many respects is similar to that of FIG. 7. In FIG. 10, the guide wheel 176 is rotatably received on an axle portion 178. The guide wheel 176 has a configuration similar to that of the roller '138 of FIG. 7.

A collar 180 is provided to maintain the guide wheel 176 in position. The roller member 182 has a configuration similar to the guide wheel 136 of FIG. 7. It will thus be appreciated that the relative proportions and position of these members may be reversed as desired. The roller 182 is of increased thickness in order to coat a wider member with paint. It will be noted that the fabric covering 184 of the roller 1182 does not extend entirely to the forward edge 186 of the roller. A surface 188 forwardly of the covering 184 is left bare. This arrangement results in there being no paint present on the surface 188 to thereby diminish the possibility of applying paint to surface areas which it is not desired to coat. The width of the surface 188 may be, for example, about FIG. 11 illustrates the apparatus and manner of applying paint to the roller. In FIG. 11, the paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly 1175 of FIG. 10 is again illustrated. A box-like member 1190 having inwardly slanting sidewalls 192 is provided as a reservoir for paint. The upper surface 194 of the member 190 is loaded with paint 196. The roller 1 82 of the assembly is rolled over one marginal edge portion of the surface 194 t apply paint to the roller. The slanting sides 192 of the member permit the roller to be canted without interference with the sidewalls to thus impregnate the entire roller surface with paint.

The tubular arm or portion 134 of the assembly 104 (-FIG. 7) has an outer end which is threaded as indicated by the numeral 200 in FIG. 12 to form a female element. An elongated extension rod 202 is provided with a reduced inner end 204 which is threaded and forms a male element which is adapted to be threadedly received within the tubular threaded bore or female element 200. The rod 202 may be of any suitable length. As an example, the guide wheel 136 and roller 138, shown in phantom in FIG. 12, are adapted to be mounted upon the extension rod 202 and held in assembled relationship as heretofore described by means of a threaded male element 206 having an enlarged head 208. The threaded element 206 is received in the threaded female bore 210 of the extension rod 202, with the head 208 retaining the guide and roller in assembled position on the extension rod 202.

The modified roller 210 of FIG. 13 may be used in place of roller 182 shown in FIG. 10. In certain instances it may be both difiicult and expensive to place or provide the annular surface 188 on roller 1182. However, the same objective may be achieved by using a washer 212 having an annular centrally located depression 216 which is received within a corresponding depression 218 in an end wall of roller 210. A threaded element 220 extends through the washer 212 and roller 210 to secure same together. This arrangement results in there being no paint present on the annular surface 222 of washer 212 to thereby diminish the possibility of applying paint to surface areas which it is not desired to coat.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface, a guide wheel rotatably mounted on the axle, and adjustable spacing means to position said roller and guide wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart, said paint receiving and transferring surface tapering radially inwardly with respect to the center of the roller and said guide wheel having an outer surface tapering radially inwardly with respect to the center of the guide Wheel, said tapering surfaces facing each other.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said adjustable spacing means comprises at least one collar on said axle for each of the roller and guide wheel, said collars being positionable adjacent the respective roller and guide wheel to restrain longitudinal movement thereof along the axle, each collar including means for securement thereof to the axle to restrain longitudinal movement thereof along the axle.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that one of said collars is positioned between the roller and guide wheel, one of said roller and guide wheel having a recess in the face thereof to receive the collar and permit the roller and guide wheel to be moved closely adjacent to each other.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 3 and further characterized in that said recess is provided in the roller.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 3 and further characterized in that said recess is provided in the guide wheel.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that a U-shaped support is provided at the outer end of the handle .structure, said axle forming the outermost leg of said U-shaped support, the end of said axle terminating at a point beyond the longitudinal center of the handle structure, and one of said roller and guide wheel being mounted on said axle in substantial alignment with the longitudinal center of the handle structure.

7. An assembly as defined in claim 6 and further characterized in that the roller is positioned in substantial alignment with the longitudinal center of the handle structure.

8. A paint roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface, an adjustable guide wheel rotatably mounted on the axle, adjustable positioning means on said axle cooperable with said guide wheel and/ or roller, a U-shaped support at the outer end of the handle structure, said axle forming the outermost leg of said U-shaped support, the

end of said axle terminating at a point beyond the longitudinal center of the handle structure, one of said roller and guide Wheel being mounted on said axle in substantial alignment with the longitudinal center of the handle structure, and a paint dauber mounted on the web of said U-shaped support, said paint dauber including a paint receiving and transferring member for applying a dab of paint in a corner-like portion of a surface to be painted.

9. An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in the provision of an elongated tubular bushing rotatably mounted on said axle, said roller and guide wheel being received on the bushing.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 9 and further characterized in that at least one of said roller and guide wheel has a hub, and a set screw in said hub for engagement with the bushing to prevent longitudinal movement thereof.

11. A paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface, a guide wheel mounted on the axle, adjustable spacing means to position said roller and guide wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart, an elongated tubular bushing rotatably mounted on said axle, said roller and guide wheel being received on said bushing, at least one of said roller and guide wheel having a press fit with said bushing to inhibit longitudinal movement thereof on the bushing.

12. A paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface, a guide wheel rotatably mounted on the axle, adjustable spacing means to position said roller and guide Wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart, said axle including one member fixedly attached to the handle structure, said one member having a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from one end thereof, another elongated axle member telescopically received in said bore, and releasable fastening means to lock the other member against movement with respect to said one axle member whereby the overall length of the axle member may be varied.

13. An assembly as defined in claim 12 and further characterized in the provision of a collar on said one axle member, said collar including screw means, an elongated slot in said one member for the passage of said screw means into engagement with said other axle member to thereby position one of the roller and guide wheel and fix the axle members against relative movement.

14. An assembly as defined in claim 12 and further characterized in the provision of a collar on said other axle member for positioning the roller and guide wheel received on said other axle member.

15. An assembly as defined in claim 14 and further characterized in the provision of a recess in one of the roller and guide wheel to receive said collar to thereby permit the roller and guide wheel to be moved closely adjacent one another.

16. An assembly as defined in claim 15 and further characterized in the provision of a spacer between said collar and one of the roller and guide wheel to accurately space them apart.

17. An assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that the outer paint receiving and transferring surface of said roller terminates short of one longitudinal end of said roller leaving a space which is non-paint receiving and transferring to prevent inadvertent painting of a surface adjacent to the surface which is to be painted.

18. A paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, said axle terminating in a free end, a guide wheel rotatably mounted on the axle and positioned inwardly of the free end thereof, said guide wheel having a radially inwardly tapering surface facing the free end of the axle, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle between the guide wheel and the free end of the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface which is tapered radially inwardly and faces the tapered surface of the guide wheel, and adjustable spacing means to position said roller and said guide wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart.

19'. The combination comprising a paint trim roller and adjustable guide assembly comprising a handle structure, an axle carried by said handle structure, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, said roller having an outer paint receiving and transferring surface, said surface being tapered radially inwardly towards the center of the roller, a guide wheel rotatably mounted on the axle, and adjustable spacing means to position said roller and guide wheel on said axle at predetermined distances apart, and a box-like paint retaining mechanism for applying paint to the roller, said paint retaining mechanism having an upper surface forming a paint reservoir, and at least one side wall angled inwardly beneath said upper surface whereby the roller may be rolled over a marginal portion of the surface adjacent the angled side wall without interference of the assembly with the side wall.

20. The combination of claim 19 and further characterized in that each of the side walls of said mechanism are angled inwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 143,681 10/ 1873 Emery.

724,077 3/ 1903 Bengston 3344 973,534 10/ 1910 Meyerheim. 1,144,569 6/1915 Sylvester 3342 2,644,186 7/ 1953 Guimond. 2,763,022 9/ 1956 Glacken 2,836,840 6/1958 Pratt 15230.11 3,023,443 3/1962 Brandeis 15--230.11 3,229,319 1/1966 Goetz 15230.11 3,380,097 4/1968 Pharris 15230.11

FOREIGN PATENTS 525,941 2/1954 Belgium. 761,772 11/1956 Great Britain.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

40ll93, 48; 15-1l8, 145. 230.11 

